Child safety seat with energy absorbing elements

ABSTRACT

Child safety seats including energy absorbing elements in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In a variety of embodiments, a child safety seat includes a seat body comprising an outer surface and at least one energy absorber coupled to the outer surface, the energy absorber including an outwardly facing surface facing away from the outer surface of the seat body, an inwardly facing surface facing towards the outer surface of the seat body, and at least one energy absorbing element located between the outwardly facing surface and the inwardly facing surface, wherein the energy absorber absorbs energy in response to an impact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/231,846, entitled “Impact Energy Absorbing Device” and filedApr. 15, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/851,862, entitled “Impact Energy Absorbing Device,” filed Dec.22, 2017, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,988,057 on Apr. 27, 2021, whichclaims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2016905370, filedDec. 23, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

The following publications are referred to in the present applicationand their contents are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety: International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2010/001495(WO/2011/054063) titled “Child Seat with Impact Protection” in the nameof Britax Childcare Pty Ltd.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an impact energy dissipating device. Ina particular form the present invention relates to an impact energydissipating device for attachment to any one of or more externallydirected portions of a child restraint for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In any vehicular crash, a major source of injury to the occupant iscontact with any intruding objects such as the vehicle door interior, orprojectiles such as glass or metal shards. When a vehicle is hit fromthe front or rear, risk from intruding objects is minimised and thefront or rear of the vehicle and vehicle frame create a large crumplezone between intruding objects and the occupant. When a vehicle is hitfrom the side however, this crumple zone is minimal, consequently posingthe most frequent and severe threat to occupant safety.

Child safety seats, also known as child restraints, are used to provideadditional protection to an occupant in the event of a vehicular crash,and generally comprise a rigid seat body comprising a base portion, aback portion, a headrest and side wing portions. While the rigid sidewing portions provide a means of protecting the child in the event of aside impact crash from projectiles such as glass or metal shards, theirrigidity means that the majority of the impact energy from the sideimpact crash transfers to the occupant of the seat.

Attempts to reduce the impact energy transferred to the occupant havebeen made by applying impact absorbing mechanisms to child seats, suchas the solutions described in International Patent Application No.PCT/AU2010/001495. FIGS. 10A and 10B show a schematic of an existingsolution including a side impact energy absorbing mechanism. Themechanism has a hollow shell with long, generally flat outer and innersurfaces. FIG. 10A shows the seat before a side impact, and FIG. 10Bshows the seat during an impact with a vehicle door interior. The longand flat surfaces offer little resistance to the impact force, and theenergy absorbing device collapses readily, resulting in a smallreduction in the impact force being transferred to the occupant.

It is against this background and the problems and difficultiesassociated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY

Child safety seats including energy absorbing elements in accordancewith embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In a variety ofembodiments, a child safety seat includes a seat body comprising anouter surface and at least one energy absorber coupled to the outersurface, the energy absorber including an outwardly facing surfacefacing away from the outer surface of the seat body, an inwardly facingsurface facing towards the outer surface of the seat body, and at leastone energy absorbing element located between the outwardly facingsurface and the inwardly facing surface, wherein the energy absorberabsorbs energy in response to an impact.

In a variety of embodiments, the seat body comprises an inner surfacedefining an area where an occupant can be seated.

In a variety of embodiments, the energy absorber absorb energy viaplastically deforming, cushioning, crushing, rupturing, deflating orbursting.

In a variety of embodiments, the energy absorber comprises an apertureallowing a fluid to be released from the energy absorber in response tothe impact.

In a variety of embodiments, each energy absorbing element has a firstportion having first width adjacent a non-recessed portion of theoutwardly facing surface and second portion having a second width,wherein the first width is greater than or equal to the second width.

In a variety of embodiments, each energy absorbing portion is configuredsuch that the impact causes the second width of at least one energyabsorbing portion to increase.

In a variety of embodiments, the second width increases to be greaterthan the first width in response to the impact.

In a variety of embodiments, each energy absorbing portion has anelongate shape.

In a variety of embodiments, each energy absorbing portion has a squareshape.

In a variety of embodiments, each energy absorbing element extends arespective depth towards the inwardly facing surface, a first energyabsorbing element extends a first depth, and a second energy absorbingportion extends a second depth different than the first depth.

In a variety of embodiments, the child safety seat includes a gapbetween the at least one energy absorbing element and the outwardlyfacing surface.

In a variety of embodiments, the at least one energy absorbing elementis in contact with the outwardly facing surface.

In a variety of embodiments, the energy absorber is constructed at leastin part with plastic.

In a variety of embodiments, the energy absorber is constructed at leastin part with low density polyethylene.

In a variety of embodiments, a child safety seat includes a seat bodycomprising an outer surface and at least one energy absorber coupled tothe outer surface, the energy absorber including an outwardly facingsurface facing away from the outer surface of the seat body, an inwardlyfacing surface facing towards the outer surface of the seat body, and atleast one energy absorbing element located between the outwardly facingsurface and the inwardly facing surface, wherein the at least one energyabsorber plastically deforms in response to an impact.

In a variety of embodiments, the child safety seat is mounted in avehicle; and

at least one energy absorber of the at least one energy absorberplastically deforms in response to the impact to the vehicle.

In a variety of embodiments, the impact to the vehicle comprises a sideimpact.

In a variety of embodiments, the outwardly facing surface and theinwardly facing surface form a shell of the energy absorber.

In a variety of embodiments, the shell is formed at least in part by apolymeric material.

In a variety of embodiments, the at least one energy absorbing elementforms an array of energy absorbing elements that collectively deform inresponse to the impact.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda child safety seat comprising a seat body and first and second sidewings depending from the seat body, the first and second side wings eachcomprising an outwardly facing exterior surface, an impact energyabsorbing device depending from at least a part of the exterior surfaceof the first and second side wings, the impact energy absorbing devicecomprising a hollow and/or gas, liquid, gel or other energy absorbingmaterial filled shell of deformable material formed by blow moulding,comprising an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly or occupantfacing surface, and a plurality of energy absorbing elements in the formof recesses extending into the shell from the inwardly facing surfacetoward the outwardly facing surface, wherein the impact absorbing systemis adapted to absorb impact through a combination of the shellplastically or elastically deforming, cushioning, rupturing, deflatingor bursting, and the plurality of energy absorbing elementscooperatively plastically or elastically deforming, cushioning orcrushing, as a result of the impact.

In one form, the shell has a thin wall of polymeric material.

In one form, the shell is manufactured from low density polyethylene.

In one form, wherein the plurality of energy absorbing elements arecircular.

In one form, wherein the plurality of energy absorbing elements aresquare.

In one form, wherein the plurality of energy absorbing elements areelongate.

In one form, the shell features apertures so that some of any air in theshell can be released in a controlled fashion as the device iscompressed as a result of the impact.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is providedan impact energy absorbing device comprising a shell with a pair ofopposing surfaces, wherein one of the surfaces comprises at least oneenergy absorbing element in the form of a recess extending into theshell toward the other surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference tothe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child safety seat;

FIG. 2 is a view of an outwardly facing surface of an impact energyabsorbing device;

FIG. 3 is a view of the inwardly facing surface of the impact energyabsorbing device;

FIG. 4 is a view of a forward edge of the impact energy absorbingdevice;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the impact energy absorbing device;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the impact energy absorbingdevice;

FIG. 7A is a schematic of an alternate embodiment of the impact energyabsorbing device;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a schematic of a further alternate embodiment of the impactenergy absorbing device;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an impact energyabsorbing device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an impact energyabsorbing device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a schematic of an existing child safety seat prior to a sideimpact;

FIG. 10B is a schematic of an existing child safety seat during a sideimpact;

FIG. 10C is a schematic of a child safety seat incorporating an impactenergy absorbing device, according to an embodiment, prior to a sideimpact.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an impact energyabsorbing device prior to impact;

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an impact energyabsorbing device during impact, where the outer surface of the device isflexing;

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an impact energyabsorbing device during impact, where the impact energy absorbingelements are undergoing initial deformation;

FIG. 11D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an impact energyabsorbing device during impact, where the impact energy absorbingelements have collapsed; and

FIG. 11E is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an impact energyabsorbing device after impact, where the impact energy absorbingelements and the outer surface of the device have sprung back to theirinitial state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 , there is shown a child safety seat 1 accordingto an embodiment. The seat 1 comprising a rigid seat body 2 with firstand second side wings 3, 4, depending from the seat body 2, the sidewings each comprising an outwardly facing exterior surface 5 and an edgedefining lip 6. The child safety seat 1 further comprises an impactenergy absorbing device 10 depending from the exterior surface 5 of eachof the side wings 3, 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 6 , where there is shown the impact energyabsorbing device 10, according to an embodiment. The device 10 comprisesa shell 11 of deformable material, having an outwardly facing surface 12and an inwardly or occupant facing surface 13. The device 10 furthercomprises a plurality of energy absorbing elements 14 in the form ofrecesses extending into the shell 11 from the inwardly facing surface 13toward the outwardly facing surface 12.

The shell 11 may be hollow and/or filled with a gas, liquid, gel orother energy absorbing material.

The device 10 may be manufactured by blow moulding, and may be made froma polymer such as low density polyethylene. The device 10 may also bemoulded in 2 pieces and then assembled.

The inwardly facing surface 13 of the device 10 is configured to bearagainst the outwardly facing exterior surface 5 of the side wing 3 andfeatures a portion 15 configured to nest within the edge defining lip 6of the side wing 3. The device 10 is preferably attached to the sidewing 3 by means of screws applied via attachment holes 16. Attachmentmeans need not be so limited, and may be by any suitable means, such asby fixed attachment means such as adhesives or none-way bolts, or byremovable attachment means such as screws, clips, slide mounts or thelike.

The impact energy absorbing device 10 is adapted to absorb impact forcethrough a combination of the shell 11 plastically or elasticallydeforming, cushioning, rupturing, deflating or bursting, and theplurality of energy absorbing elements 14 cooperatively plastically orelastically deforming, as a result of the impact.

As can be seen in this embodiment, the energy absorbing elements 14 havea dome shape, which when subjected to a force, will resolve the forceinto compressive stresses along the walls of the dome, and will pushoutwardly at the base. In this embodiment, the energy absorbing elementsvary in size and shape and have different depths. The larger diameter,deeper elements would deform more readily, whereas the smaller diameter,shallower elements would provide greater resistance to deformation.Similarly to the concept of a bridge with many arches, the plurality ofdome shaped energy absorbing elements will support their adjacent domeshaped support elements.

The impact energy absorbing device 10 may feature one or more apertures(not shown) in the shell 11, such that in the event of an impact force,fluid (particularly gas) inside the shell can be controllably releasedas the device 10 is compressed by the impact such that the shellcontrollably deflates. Alternatively, the device 10 may feature one ormore valves (not shown) in the shell 11, such that in the event of animpact force, release of fluid can be precisely controlled such that thevalve sacrificially ruptures upon a specific internal pressure beingreached when the device 10 is compressed. Alternatively, if the shell 11does not feature apertures or valving, it may be configured to burstupon impact.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, where there is shown an impact energyabsorbing device 20, according to an alternate embodiment, wherein theenergy absorbing elements 24 are elongate and arranged in a parallelfashion.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, where there is shown an impact energyabsorbing device 30, according to an alternate embodiment, wherein theenergy absorbing elements 34 have a square form.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, where there are shown alternateembodiments of an impact energy absorbing device 40, 50, where thedevice 40 shown in FIG. 9A features a gap between the outwardly facingsurface 42 and the energy absorbing elements 44. In alternativeembodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 9B, there may be no gap betweenthe outwardly facing surface 52 and the energy absorbing elements 54.

It will be appreciated many factors will have an effect on the energyabsorbing properties of the impact energy absorbing device. As will beappreciated from the embodiments described, the form, size and depth ofthe energy absorbing elements may vary. The percentage of surface areacovered by the elements may also vary. The arrangement or pattern of theenergy absorbing elements may also vary. As seen in the FIG. 3 , largerelements may be used, with smaller elements being placed interstitiallyin the spaces between them.

Referring now to FIG. 10C, where there is shown a schematic of the childsafety seat 1 incorporating the impact energy absorbing device 10 asshown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , prior to a side impact. As will be appreciated,when compared to the existing solution as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B,the plurality of impact energy absorbing elements 14 which extendbetween the inwardly facing surface 13 and the outwardly facing surface12, offer an increased resistance to a side impact force, resulting in alarger reduction in the impact force being transferred to the occupant.

FIGS. 11A to 11E show cross-sectional schematics of a portion of animpact energy absorbing device 60 secured to a side wing 3, before,during and after impact, for the purpose of demonstrating how the device60 absorbs impact energy.

FIG. 11A shows the device 60 prior to impact, where it can be seen thatthe outwardly facing surface 62 is generally planar and a gap existsbetween the outer surface 62 and the energy absorbing element 64.

FIG. 11B shows the device 60 during impact, where an impact force hasbeen applied to the outwardly facing surface 62 of the device 64. It canbe seen that the outer surface 62 has deformed such that there is nolonger a gap between the outer surface 62 and the energy absorbingelement 64.

FIG. 11C shows the device 60 during impact, where the outwardly facingsurface 62 has now further deformed and has transferred a portion of theimpact force to the energy absorbing element 64, and the tip of theelement 64 has partially deformed to conform to the profile of the outersurface 62 as a result of the force being applied via the surface 62.

FIG. 11D shows the device 60 during impact, where the outer surface 62has again further deformed resulting in the energy absorbing element 64further deforming as a result of the impact force applied via the outersurface 62. Deformation of the element 64 has occurred in the form ofthe side wall of the element 64 buckling.

FIG. 11E shows the device 60 after impact, where the energy absorbingelement 64 and the outwardly facing surface 62 have sprung back to theirinitial state.

In alternative embodiments, the energy absorbing elements 64 and theoutwardly facing surface 62 may plastically deform, and not return totheir initial state after impact.

It will be appreciated that a complete impact energy absorbing devicecomprises a plurality of energy absorbing elements, and that duringimpact when the outer surface of the device collapses toward theelements, the elements will work as an array or series of impactabsorbing elements, to collectively deform under the force of theimpact, resulting in the energy absorbing device collapsing over alonger period of time. The amount of impact energy then transferred tothe occupant of the restraint is reduced compared to a ‘standard’ aircushion with generally flat front and back surfaces.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” andvariations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood toimply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but notthe exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and shouldnot be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that suchprior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention isnot restricted in its use to the particular application described.Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodimentwith regard to the particular elements and/or features described ordepicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is notlimited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined bythe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child safety seat, comprising: a seat bodycomprising an outer surface; and at least one energy absorber coupled tothe outer surface, the energy absorber comprising: an outwardly facingsurface facing away from the outer surface of the seat body; an inwardlyfacing surface facing towards the outer surface of the seat body; and atleast one energy absorbing element located between the outwardly facingsurface and the inwardly facing surface; wherein the energy absorberabsorbs energy in response to an impact; wherein each energy absorbingelement extends a respective depth towards the inwardly facing surface;wherein a first energy absorbing element extends a first depth; andwherein a second energy absorbing portion extends a second depthdifferent than the first depth.
 2. The child safety seat of claim 1,wherein the seat body comprises an inner surface defining an area wherean occupant can be seated.
 3. The child safety seat of claim 1, whereinthe energy absorber absorb energy via plastically deforming, cushioning,crushing, rupturing, deflating or bursting.
 4. The child safety seat ofclaim 1, wherein the energy absorber comprises an aperture allowing afluid to be released from the energy absorber in response to the impact.5. The child safety seat of claim 1, wherein each energy absorbingelement has a first portion having first width adjacent a non-recessedportion of the outwardly facing surface and second portion having asecond width, wherein the first width is greater than or equal to thesecond width.
 6. The child safety seat of claim 5, wherein each energyabsorbing portion is configured such that the impact causes the secondwidth of at least one energy absorbing portion to increase.
 7. The childsafety seat of claim 6, wherein the second width increases to be greaterthan the first width in response to the impact.
 8. The child safety seatof claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one energy absorbingelement has an elongate shape.
 9. The child safety seat of claim 1,wherein at least one of the at least one energy absorbing element has asquare shape.
 10. The child safety seat of claim 1, wherein the energyabsorber is constructed at least in part with low density polyethylene.11. The child safety seat of claim 1, further comprising a gap betweenthe at least one energy absorbing element and the outwardly facingsurface.
 12. The child safety seat of claim 1, wherein the at least oneenergy absorbing element is in contact with the outwardly facingsurface.
 13. The child safety seat of claim 1, wherein the energyabsorber is constructed at least in part with plastic.
 14. A childsafety seat, comprising: a seat body comprising an outer surface; and atleast one energy absorber coupled to the outer surface, the energyabsorber comprising: an outwardly facing surface facing away from theouter surface of the seat body; an inwardly facing surface facingtowards the outer surface of the seat body; and at least one energyabsorbing element located between the outwardly facing surface and theinwardly facing surface; wherein the at least one energy absorberplastically deforms in response to an impact; wherein each energyabsorbing element extends a respective depth towards the inwardly facingsurface; wherein a first energy absorbing element extends a first depth;and wherein a second energy absorbing portion extends a second depthdifferent than the first depth.
 15. The child safety seat of claim 14,wherein the at least one energy absorbing element forms an array ofenergy absorbing elements that collectively deform in response to theimpact.
 16. The child safety seat of claim 14, wherein: the child safetyseat is mounted in a vehicle; and at least one energy absorber of the atleast one energy absorber plastically deforms in response to the impactto the vehicle.
 17. The child safety seat of claim 16, wherein theimpact to the vehicle comprises a side impact.
 18. The child safety seatof claim 14, wherein the outwardly facing surface and the inwardlyfacing surface form a shell of the energy absorber.
 19. The child safetyseat of claim 18, wherein the shell is formed at least in part by apolymeric material.